Manually adjustable multiposition switch

ABSTRACT

A switch within a housing having a plurality of fixed contacts within the housing. A plurality of movable contacts are located within the housing and are spring biased away from the one set of fixed contacts and in contact with another set of fixed contacts. The movable contacts may be selectively positioned manually. Manual pressure exerted to overcome the spring bias causes mating of selected movable contacts with the fixed contacts. Terminals extend from the fixed contacts outwardly of said housing so as to provide means for connecting the switch to various electrical circuits.

United States Patent 11 1 Daly Jan. 8, 1974 MANUALLY. ADJUSTABLE MULTIPOSITION SWITCH [75] Inventor: John Patrick Daly, Maitland, Fla.

[73] Assignee: Scope Incorporated, Reston Va.

[22] Filed: Sept. 20, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 290,571

[52] US. Cl 200/5 R, 200/16 D, 200/18,

, 200/164 [51] Int. Cl. H0lh 3/20 [58] Field of Search 200/4, 5 R, 5 A,

200/6 B, 6 BA, 6 BB, 16 A, 16 C, 16 D, 17 R, 18, 61.54-61.57, 61.75, 61.76, 68, 86.5,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,641,286 2 1972 Berezowski.... 200/5 A 3,222,467 12/1965 Meyer 200/16 1) 2,863,010 12/1958 Riedl 200/5 R 3,600,528 8/1971 Lepusavic 200/5 A 3,524,952 8/1970 Anderson et al. 200/7 X 3,663,781 5/1972 Zimmerman et' a1 200/172 R 2,908,827 10/1959 Hickman 200/16 D UX Primary Examiner.1. R. Scott Attorney-John E. Benoit [57] ABSTRACT 10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 8 I974 SHEET 1 0F 2 5 2 an 29 a:

FIG. 2

l MANUALLY ADJUSTABLE MULTIPOSITION SWITCH This invention relates generally to electrical switches and more specifically to a manually adjustable multiposition switch. v

Many types of electrical equipment require manual switches for instantaneous controlof certain conditions. When a plurality of control conditions arerequired, a plurality .of switches are normally-provided. However, a number of electrical devices, and particularly electronic devices have a severe limitation as to available space for the required switching functions. Such limitations necessarily require that a single switch mechanism be able to provide a plurality of switching functions. 7

Accordingly, it. is an object of the present invention to provide a manual switch which may easily interconnect a plurality of electrical circuits. A further object of this invention is to provide suc a switch which is very compact.

Another object of this invention is to provide a man- 'ual switch which may easily interconnect a plurality of electrical circuits and which is operable by only one hand of the operator.

These and other objects of the invention will become obvious from the following description taken together with the drawings wherein Y FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the switch taken through the lines 22 of FIGQI;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the components of the switch of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A-4C are schematic illustrations of the various positions of one part of the switch of FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the switch taken through lines 22 of FIG. 1 in a depressed position.

Broadly speaking, the present invention comprises a switch within a housing having a plurality of fixed contacts within the housing. A plurality of movable contacts are located within the housing and are spring biased away from the fixed contacts, but in contact with another set of contacts. The movable contacts may be selectively positioned manually. Manual pressure exerted to overcome the spring bias causes mating of selected movable contacts with the fixed contacts. Terminals extend from .the fixed contacts outwardly of said housing so as to provide means for connecting the switch to various electrical circuits.

While not limited thereto, one particular use of the switch of the present invention is in conjunction with portable two-way radios. Use of these radios often require that one hand of the user-be free so that it is necessary that all switching be done with the handwhich holds the radio; The following illustrative description will relate the switch to such a radio was to more clearly relate the advantages thereof.

Turning now more'specifically to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a housing 11 which includes an upper section 13 and a lower section 15. The two sections are hinged at one end by means of pin 17. The other end of upper housing 13 may be serrated as at 19 so as to provide a positive grip for a digit such as a thumb.

depressed there is provided a self-cleaning action Within the upper housing 13 there is provided a slidable plate 22 including a button 21 extending outwardly of the upper housing.

FIG. 2 illustrates the details of the interior of housing 11. The phantom line indicates the device 23, such as a two-way radio, with which the switch may be used. At the end below the serrated section, a compression spring 25 is provided so as to bias upper section 13 away'from lower section 15. I

A series of terminals 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, and 39 extend outwardly from lower section 15 in order to provide a connection to the various control circuits (not shown) of the radio. The other ends of the terminals provide fixed contacts 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, and 40 within the' interior of housing 11.

Plate 22 includes an upwardly extending tab 41 which mates with notches 43 in theinner face of upper section 13.

Secured to the inner face of plate 22 is a contact '44 which, in the particular illustration shown, comprises a plurality of spring fingers 45, 47- and 49 which are conductively interconnected by the integral base section of contact 44 secured to the plate 22.

In order to provide a physical stop to prevent excessive depression of the upper section 13, fixed ribs 53 extend upwardly from lower section 15.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the operation of the particular switch described above.

It should be noted that spring finger 49 is bent so that it is out of alignment with the remaining fingers of movable contact 44. The movable contact is positioned so that all of the spring fingers except finger 49 Contact the inner face of lower section 15 when plate 22 is not depressed.

FIG. 4A illustrates movable switch in a position wherein button 21 has been moved toward the serrated end of upper section 13. Accordingly, when the upper section is manually depressed, none of the spring fingers contact any of fixed contacts 36, 38 or 40. Therefore, the only action which occurs results from abutment 51, extending inwardly from upper section 13,

which disconnects terminal end 30 from terminal end 34 and forces terminal end 30 to make contact with terminal end 32. This particular action occurs whenever upper section 13 is depressed and is illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 48 illustrates movable switch 44 in the position shown in FIG. 2. Movement of the switch to this osition causes fingers 45 and 47 to contact terminal ends 36 and 38 thereby interconnecting terminals 35 and 37.

FIG. 4C illustrates movableswitch 44 in the position of FIG. 2 except that button 21 has been depressed as shown in FIG. 5. In this condition, contacts 36, 38-and 40 are all interconnected.

While all of the spring fingers are not used as contacts, they serve to stabilize element 44 during the sliding movement and depression.

It should be noted that due to the sliding action of the spring fingers when the button is moved and when it is thereby providing a more trouble-free device.

Although the switch may be used in many applications, it is particularly effective for use with a two-way radio.

In such an operation, the position shown in 4A disables the movable switch 44 whereby only the contacts 30, 32 and 34 are affected. This provides the push-totalk function which occurs when upper section 13 is depressed as shown in FIG.

The position shownin 4B ena bles'the tone" signal. This is a standard low frequency signal and is shown in FIG. 2 which is used to selectively communicate with certain units rather than all units in an area.

The position shown in 4C which occurs when the button 21 is depressed while the switch is in the position shown in FIG. 2, allows the operator to temporarily dis- 'able the tone signal so as to ascertain the condition of the central station for receiving calls, i.e., to determine if the central station is busy.

Depression of button 21 could also be used for other functions such as a high-low volume control depending upon the circuit connections within the radio.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description and drawings are illustrative only and the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the following claims.

1 claim:

1. A manually adjustable multiposition switch comprising i a housing including an upper and lower section;

a plurality of fixed contacts within the interior of said housing;

a plurality of slidable contacts extending from said upper section within the interior of said housing; spring means disposed between said upper and lower sections for biasing said uppersectionaway from i said lower section;

button means extending outwardly from said housing and connected to said slidable contacts so that a selected number of slidable contacts may be variably moved to a plurality of fixed positions relative to said fixed concatcs;

terminal means connected to said fixed contacts and extending outwardly of said housing.

2. The switch of claim 1 further comprising a second set of contacts within said housing being activated when said bias is overcome by said manual pressure exerted on said upper section.

3. The switch of claim 1 wherein said movable contacts comprise spring fingers secured to said button means and conductively interconnected whereby the position of said fixed contacts are positioned in the interior base of said housing; and

said spring fingers mate with said contacts when said button is in a preselected fixed position.

5. The switch of claim 4 wherein one of said spring fingers is positioned above said base of said housing whereby manual depression of said. button means forces said oneof said spring fingers into contact with one of said fixed contacts.

6. A manually adjustable multiposition switch comprising I a housing including an upper and lower section;

a plurality of fixed contacts in the interior base of said lower section;

said upper section being pivotally secured at one end to said lower section, said upper section providing a closure on the upper side of said housing;

spring means disposed between said upper and lower sections and biasing said upper section away from said lower section;

a slidable plate within said upper section;

means connected to said 'plate and extending outwardly of said upper section of said housing;

contact means securedto said slidable plate and extending within said housing so as to make selected engagement with said fixed contacts; and

terminal means connected to said fixed contacts'and' extending outwardly of said housing. 7. The switch of claim 6 further comprising means on said upper section extending within said' housing for closing at least one of said fixed contacts upon manual depression of said upper section. 8. The switch of claim 6 further comprising means on said upper section extending within said housing for opening at least one of said contacts and closing at least one of said contacts upon manual depression of said upper section. 9. The switch of claim 6 wherein said contact means secured to said slidable plate comprises a plurality of spring fingers conductively interconnected and extending into said housing so as to be selectively engageable with said fixed contacts. 10. The switch of claim 9 wherein at least one of said spring fingers is positioned out of alignment with said other fingers whereby depression of said slidable plate causes said one of said spring fingers to contact said fixed contact means. 

1. A manually adjustable multiposition switch comprising a housing including an upper and lower section; a plurality of fixed contacts within the interior of said housing; a plurality of slidable contacts extending from said upper section within the interior of said housing; spring means disposed between said upper and lower sections for biasing said upper section away from said lower section; button means extending outwardly from said housing and connected to said slidable contacts so that a selected number of slidable contacts may be variably moved to a plurality of fixed positions relative to said fixed concatcs; terminal means connected to said fixed contacts and extending outwardly of said housing.
 2. The switch of claim 1 further comprising a second set of contacts within said housing being activated when said bias is overcome by said manual pressure exerted on said upper section.
 3. The switch of claim 1 wherein said movable contacts comprise spring fingers secured to said button means and conductively interconnected whereby the position of said button means connects at least two of said fixed contacts.
 4. The switch of claim 3 wherein said fixed contacts are positioned in the interior base of said housing; and said spring fingers mate with said contacts when said button is in a preselected fixed position.
 5. The switch of claim 4 wherein one of said spring fingers is positioned above said base of said housing whereby manual depression of said button means forces said one of said spring fingers into contact with one of said fixed contacts.
 6. A manually adjustable multiposition switch comprising a housing including an upper and lower section; a plurality of fixed contacts in the interior base of said lower section; said upper section being pivotally secured at one end to said lower section, said upper section providing a closure on the upper side of said housing; spring means disposed between said upper and lower sections and biasing said upper section away from said lower section; a slidable plate within said upper section; means connected to said plate and extending outwardly of said upper section of said housing; contact means secured to said slidable plate and extending within said housing so as to make selected engagement with said fixed contacts; and terminal means connected to said fixed contacts and extending outwardly of said housing.
 7. The switch of claim 6 further comprising means on said upper section extending within said housing for closing at least one of said fixed contacts upon manual depression of said upper section.
 8. The switch of claim 6 further comprising means on said upper section extending within said housing for opening at least one of said contacts and closing at least one of said contacts upon manual depression of said upper section.
 9. The switch of claim 6 wherein said contact means secured to said slidable plate comprises a plurality of spring fingers conductively interconnected and extending into said housing so as to be selectively engageable with said fixed contacts.
 10. The switch of claim 9 wherein at least one of said spring fingers is positioned out of alignment with said other fingers whereby depression of said slidable Plate causes said one of said spring fingers to contact said fixed contact means. 